KAMPALA — A heavy mood enveloped Ggaba on Monday as the high-profile murder trial of Okello Christopher Onyum began, drawing large crowds and tight security in a rare public court sitting marked by grief and tension.
The proceedings, presided over by Justice Alice Komuhangi Khaukha at the Ggaba Community School grounds, attracted hundreds of residents still reeling from the killings of four children earlier this month.
Okello, who faces four counts of murder under the Penal Code Act, Cap 128, denied all charges when asked to enter his plea.
“Yes, My Lord, I understand the charges… I plead not guilty,” he told the court, as silence fell over the emotionally charged audience.
The prosecution alleges that the accused was responsible for the deaths of Eteku Gideon, Keisha Agenoroth, Sseruynage Ignatius, and Odeke Rayan, who were reportedly killed on April 2, 2026, at Ggaba Early Childhood Development Centre in Makindye Division.
State prosecutors argue that the killings were premeditated, stating that they will present evidence suggesting the accused carefully planned the attack in the days leading up to the incident. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions maintains that the case is built on a sequence of deliberate actions linking the accused to the crime.
The decision to hold the proceedings in public was taken amid strong demand from residents for transparency, as well as guidance from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to ensure openness in handling the sensitive case.
Inside the makeshift courtroom, emotions ran high. Some parents were seen weeping quietly, while others sat in visible distress as the charges were read. The presence of the accused in close proximity heightened the tension throughout the session.
Outside the venue, security forces maintained strict order, setting up checkpoints and restricting access to the area following earlier attempts by angry residents to attack the suspect after the incident.
Legal experts note that the not guilty plea sets the stage for a full trial, with the prosecution now required to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The hearing is expected to continue throughout the week, with multiple witnesses scheduled to testify. For grieving families and the wider community, the proceedings mark a painful but crucial step in the pursuit of justice.
